Water-cooled port structure for tilting hearth furnaces



Feb. 3, 1948. H. l.. McFEATx-:Rs 2,435,318

WATER COOLED PORT STRUCTURE FOR TILTING HEARTH FURNACES Filed May 16, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mi ummm, Nrlll,

Feb. 3, 1948. H. l.. McFEATERs WATER COOLED PORT STRUCTURE FOR TILTING HEARTH FURNACES Filed May 16, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1948. H. L. McFr-:ATERS 2,435,318

WATER COOLED PORT STRUCTURE FOR TILTING HEARTH FURNACES Filed May 16, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lo l 1 n #i XE f* INVENTOR ATToRNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1948 WATER-COOLED PORT STRUCTURE FOR TILTING HEARTH FURNACES Harry L. McFeaters,-New Castle, Pa., asslgnor to Pennsylvania Engineering Works, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 16, 1945, Serial No. 593,991

22 claims. 1

This invention relates to regenerative furnaces of the type having a tilting hearth supported independently of the regenerators and mounted for tilting about its longitudinal axis. Because of this construction, spaces, gaps or openings occur between the ends of the hearth ports and the ends of the ports of the regenerator uptakes, and this invention relates particularly to means for closing these gaps, openings or spaces.

In tilting regenerative furnaces particularly in tilting open hearth furnaces, it is customary to cover the faces of these port ends with watercooled members (such members are referred to in the art as chills). It is between the outer or exposed faces of these water-cooled members that the gaps, openings or spaces occur. These gaps or spaces provide for expansion of the hearth and regenerator uptakes and for unhampered tilting of the hearth when the furnace parts are hot. When the furnace structure is cold each of these spaces may amount to as much as 4 inches and when the structure is hot, each such space shrinks to about 2 inches. Since both the hearth and uptake structures tend to grow during use, a two inch space when the structure is new and hot is considered safe practice.

An object of this invention is to produce means for effectively closing the spaces between the port ends of a tilting hearth and the port ends of the uptakes of the regenerators forming part of the furnace structure.

Another object is to produce water cooled means for eiectively closing the tops and sides of the spaces between the ports of a tilting hearth and the ports of the regenerators forming part of the furnace structure.

Another object is to produce water cooled means for closing the tops and sides of the spaces between the hearth ports and the regenerator ports of a tilting open hearth furnace and improved means closing the bottoms of such spaces and for discharging refuse that collects within such spaces.

A still further object is to produce flexible water cooled means for closing the top and sides of' the space between a port end of a tilting hearth and a port end of a regenerator cooperating with such hearth.

These and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates', I attain by means of the structure described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view of a device embodying this invention closing the space, opening or gap between one port end of a tilting hearth of an open hearth furnace and the adjacent port end of a regenerator uptake;

the regenerator uptake taken Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the end of the tilting hearth taken on line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the port end of on line III--III of Fig. 1';

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View of part of the water cooled means of this invention for closing the opening, gap or space between the ends of the co-operating port structures of a tilting regenerative furnace;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken through one of the elements of the gap closing means and shows the relation of such means to the Water cooled facing members for the port ends when the furnace structure is cold;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and shows the relation of the ports when the furnace is hot and with the ports somewhat out of alignment;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modied form of gap closing means;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the modiiied form of gap closing means of Fig. 7

when the furnace is hot, and with the ports somewhat out of alignment; I

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of a portion of the gap closing means;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view looking toward the operating or contact face of one of a series of elements for closing the bottoms of the gaps, openings or spaces between the ends of co-operating port structures;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line XII-XI of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation of two adjacent elements of ilzlliie structure diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 13 is an elevational view looking toward the operating or contact face of two of a series of water-cooled elements for closing the bottoms of the gaps, openings or spaces between the ends of the co-operating port structures; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line XIV- y XIV of Fig. 13.

In carrying out this invention in connection with a tilting open hearth furnace, I employ water-cooled elements or chills as is now customary for protecting structures adjacent the ends of the hearth and regenerator ports. These elements or chills not only protect the brickwork or refractories surrounding the port openings, but the steel structure adjacent the port ends.

Each of these chills or water cooled protectors is preferably made up of two sections as disclosed in the drawings; that for each hearth port structure comprising an upper section 20 and a lower section 2|, and that for each uptake port structure, an upper section 22 and a lower section 2l. Each of these four sections comprises a hollow -ilat welded structure formed o! sheetor platelike metal. I

The protectors or chills are bolted to the iurnace steelwork adjacent the port ends and preferably abut against the end faces of the port refractories, such as roof or arch reiractories 24 and side wall refractories 23 ot hearth port 23, and roof or arch refractories 21 and iioor and slde.wa11 refractories 28 of regenerator uptake port 29.

Each hollow section oi the protectors or chills is provided with water inlet. and outlet pipes as vclearly disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3, and interior pipes and deiiectors as indicated by dash lines in said gures, to insure proper circulation rtherethrough of the cooling water. These inlet and outlet pipes and deilectors have not been numbered, since they are clearly understandable from the drawings and form no part of this invention. The hearth section of the furnace disclosed in Fig`g2 and at the left of section line II-II of Fig. 1 is supported by suitable means (not shown) so constructed and arranged that it (the hearth section) may be tilted or rotated to as much as over 40 from horizontal in either direction about its longitudinal axis in which point 30 is located. Each of the water cooled protectors, inI one case comprising sections 20` and 2| and inthe other, sections 22 and 23, is provided with a bearing surfacel or ledge which serves as a support for one of the water cooled devices such as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4, for closing the opening or space, or bridging the gap which exists between two adjacent water cooled port end protectors.

Thev supporting ,ledge for the water cooled l protectors oi two adjacent port ends of the furnace structure are preferably oppositely inclined, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 to 8 inclusive. The supporting ledge of the hearth port end is numbered 3| while that of the regenerator uptake port en d is numbered 32. These supporting ledges can be formed independently of the water cooled protectors but the outer peripheral walll of bothsections of each protector is preferably formed as disclosed in the drawings to provide this supporting ledge. As disclosed in Fig. 2, supporting ledge 3| from end to end is formed on an arc of` a circle of which the longitudinal axis of the hearth section forms the center. In other words, point 30 is equidistant from all similar located points in supporting ledge 3|.

Supporting ledge 32 of the regenerator uptake port end, except for its extreme lower ends, is formed on an arc of a circle of the same radius as that of supporting ledge 3|. The lower ends, however, are tangent tothe circle, or in other words, extend vertically as shown at 33-33 of Fig. 3.

Closing means for the tops and sides of lthe gaps The device for'closing the opening. gap or space between top andk sides of adjacent water'- cooled protectors, is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4. This device is supported on ledges 3|' and 32 and closes the space or opening between the same. This device comprises a number of hollow metal box-like elements linked together and having their interiors interconnected so as to provide for the circulation of cooling water therethrough.

As disclosed in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, these box-like elements which are numbered 34,. have transversely curved bottoms, and, as disclosed in Figs. 3, 4 and 12, they are curved longitudinally so as to comorm to the curvatures of their supporting ledges. Each box-like element is provided with spaced ears 3l and these, by means of cross pins 33. are connected by links 31. The pins pass through openings in said ears and links. The structure thus resembles a chain comprising a number of interconnected water-cooled elements. 'I'he openings in vboth the ears and the links through which pins 31 pass are relatively large A with respect to the diameter of the pins, so that the space closing device will accommodate itself to'any slight misalignment of the supporting ledges, due to settling of one port structure with`$ relation to the other, or to variations in tempera. ture of the two port structures.

In order to reduce the friction between the space closing device and the' supporting ledge 3| during rotation of the hearth section, I provide means for carrying part of the load of the device. This means comprises rods 38, 3S and 40 which are pivotally connected to links of the space closing device and are supported on springs, the tension of which can be adjusted so as to reduce the pressurebetween the space closing device and the ledges. Rod 38 located above the top center of the ledges has pivotal connection to a central link 4| of the device. Stops -f 42-42 secured to the steel structure on opposite sides of rod 38 limitmovement of such rod transversely ofthe furnace and therefore keep the space closing device in position. Rod 38 extends through an opening in a cross member 43 of the.

regenerator steelwork, and a relatively stiff coil spring 44 surrounds rod 38 and is located between cross member 43 and a washer 45.

Rods 39 and 40 are similarly pivotally connected to links on opposite sides of and spaced from the center link and are each provided at their upper ends -with springs similar to spring 44.-The tension of these springs as well as of spring 44 is preferably adjusted by means of adjustment andv lock nuts threaded to the upper end of the rods 38, 39 and'w.

Each end link of the space closing deviceis numbered 46 and is provided with an extension rod 41 and each such rod extends downwardly through a slotted hole 48 in a bracket member 49 secured to the steelwork of the regenerator uptake structure. 'Ihe lower ends of rods 4`|` are threaded to receive adjustment and lock nuts 50 and between a pair of washers surrounding each' rod 41, one bearing against the adjustment nut and one against bracket 48, a coil spring is positioned. These springs hold the string. of watercooled elements, comprised in the space closing device, in position during tilting of the hearth section. K

Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive are taken-at the centerof the device and show center'link 4| and the washers or spacers 36, interposed between ears 35 and the link 31. v

In the modified form of Figs. 7 and 8, the boxlike water-cooled members are formed in pairs, each pair being made up of -two hollow substantially quarter round members 5|. This construction permits the members of each pair to move independently as disclosed in Fig. 8, when the supporting ledges are out of alignment. Slots 52 in ears 53 of the modified form allow this independent movement.

The box-like members, whether they are members 34 or 5| are interconnected by water piping 54, and for this purpose, I preferably use sections of exible pipe or hose such as Goodall semimetallicilexible hose with a male coupling Means for closing the bottoms of the gaps or spaces In order to close the space, opening or gap between the water cooled chills or facings below the axis of rotation of the tilting hearth portion of the furnace, I provide. a sectional seal which extends across the hearth portion between hollow end members I3 (Fig. 3). In the embodiment shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings, this seal comprises a number, in this case six, of pivotally mounted sections 55. These are arranged end to end with but slight clearance between their active portions, and they are pivotally connected to the uptake structure immediately below the bottom of chill section 23, as disclosed in Fig. 1. Each section 55 is provided with a weighted lower portion -56 which is so positioned with relation to its pivot connection that the sealing portion 51 of such member is forced by weighted portion 55 into contact with the outer or exposed face 2Ia of chill section 2l.

Since, during tilting of the hearth section of the furnace, the down tilting side of the seal, made up of sections 55, passes off chill section 2|, I provide an apron 58 carried by the hearth section. below the bottom' of such chill section, and which has its outer face located in the same plane as the outer face of such chill section. The down tilting side of the sectional seal rides on apron 58 when it passes off chill 2l.

Figs. 13 and 14 disclose a sectional seal similar to that disclosed in Figs. 1, l and 11 except that it is water-cooled. In this form, a central rib 59 is provided which is preferably of the same height as side ribs 50. The rod forpivotally mounting the sections of this seal extend through circular enlargements 50a at the upper ends of side ribs 50, and center rib 59 terminates a short distance from enlargements 50a.

A metal plate 8|, bent so as to lie in contact with ribs 50 and rib 59 is welded to such ribs and has its ends bent, as at' 52 and 53, into contact with the body portion of the seal section to which such ends are welded. This provides each section with a hollow interior and with a passage 84 from one side of rib 59 to the other side.

The weighted portion 55a at the bottom of each section, adjacent ribs l, is provided with a through hole; one of Awhich is numbered 55 and the other B8. The outer ends of these holes are tapped to receive male couplings.

The different sectionsl of this seal are interconnected by water piping 51 and for this purpose I preferably use sections of Goodall semimetallic flexible hose with male couplings at each end of each section, as in the case of the seal for the tops and sides of the spaces. The sections are preferably interconnected4 as disclosed in Fig. 13, whereby the cooling water entering one opening ((such as 55 or 55) has to pass through opening 54 beyond the upper end of rib 59 before leaving the other opening. In this manner, an emcient water circulation through the sectional seal is obtained.

From the above, it will be apparent that I have provided effective means for closing the space, opening or gap between the port ends of a. tilting hearth section and the port ends of the regenerator uptakes of a regenerative furnace. It will also be apparent that such means will not interfere with the tilting of the hearth section, and that any refuse, such as limestone, slag or cinders that collects in the space between the port ends will be automatically discharged during tilting of the hearth section.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with the water cooled end structures of two adjacent normally aligned and horizontally spaced relatively rotatable furnace ports, supporting ledges on such end structures, normally horizontally spaced one from the other leaving a clearance gap therebetween, water cooled means supported by such ledges and arranged to bridge the top and side portions of such gap, and a second means independent of said first means for closing the space between the bottoms of such structures.

2. In combination with the water cooled end structures of two adjacent-normally aligned and horizontally spaced relatively rotatable furnace ports, oppositely projecting ledges on such end structures, spaced one vfrom the other leaving a clearance gap therebetween, water cooled means supported by such ledges and bridging the top and side portions of such gap, and water cooled means closing the space between the bottoms of such structures. w

3. In combination with the water cooled end structures of two adjacent, horizontally spaced furnace ports, one of which is rotatable and one stationary, ledges on such structures, spaced one from the other leaving `a clearance gap therebetween, a water cooled device supported on such ledges and bridging the ktop and side portions of such gap, means carried by the stationary structure for yieldingly holding such device in place, and pivoted means closing the bottom portion of the space between such end structures.

4. In combination with the water cooled end structures of two adjacent, horizontally spaced furnace ports, one of which is rotatable and one.

stationary, ledges on such structures, spaced one from the other leaving a gap therebetween, a water cooled device supported on such ledges and bridging the top and side portions of such gap, means carried by the stationary structure for yieldingly holding such device in place on such ledges, and pivotally mounted means closing the bottom portion of the space between such end structures.

5. A structure as dened in claim 1, in which the water cooled space closing means comprises a number of interconnected hollow metal members linked together. (u,

6. A structure as defined in claim 1, in which the water cooled space closing means comprises a number of hollow metal members linked together and interconnected by flexible tubing,

7. A structure as dened in claim 1, in which the ledges are inclined in opposite directions and the water cooled means supported thereby comprises a number of interconnected hollow metal members linked together.

8. A structure as defined in claim 1, in which the water cooled space closing means comprises a number of hollow metal members arranged end to end in abutting relation, connected by links,

andere having their interiors connected by hollow flexible means, and beingyieldingly held in contact with their supporting ledges.

9. A structure as dedlned in claim 1, in which the water cooled space closing means comprises a series of pairs of hollow metal members arranged in side by side and end to end abutting relation, the members of each pair being relatively movable, the lengthwise aligned members having their interiors interconnected by hollow iiexible means for .conducting cooling wa through such members in series. 1

10. A structure-as defined in claim 3 in which the pivoted means closing the bottom portion of the space between the end structures is pivoted to the stationary structure, and comprises a series of elements arranged side by side, each such element being so weighted with relation to its pivotal connection with the stationary structure that it is held in contact with the movable structure.

11. A structure as defined in claim 3,.in which the ledges are inclined in opposite directions, the water cooled device supported on such ledges comprises a string of hollow metal members having their interiors interconnected by ilexible tubing, and in which the pivoted means closing the bottom portion of the space comprises a number of independently movable water cooled 'elements each of which has its center of mass so positioned with relation to its pivot point that it tends1 to move toward the rotatable structure.

12. In combination with the water cooled end structures of two adjacent normally horizontally aligned and spaced furnace ports, one of which is rotatable and one stationary, oppositely positioned ledges on such end structures, spaced one from the other, leaving a clearance gap therebetween, water cooled means supported on such ledges and bridging the top and side portions of such gap, and pivoted means closing the bottom portion of the space between such end structures.

13. A structure as dellne'd in claim 12. in combination with means attached to the stationary port structure for reducing the friction between said ledges and the water cooled gap bridging means supported thereon. 1

14. A structure as deilned in claim l2, in which the means closing the bottom portion of the space between the end structures comprises a number of independently movable members each of which is pivoted to the stationary end structure and has its center .of mass so positioned with relation to its pivot point that it" tends to move toward the rotatable structure.

15. A structure as defined in claim 12, in which the means closing the bottom portion of the space between the end structures comprises a number of independently movable water cooled elements pivoted to the stationary port structure and each having its center of mass so positioned with relation toits pivot point that it tends to move toward vand into contact with the end structure of the rotatable port. Y

16. A structure as denedin claim 12 in which the ledges are inclined in opposite directions: in which the water cooled means suppl'ted on the ledges comprises a string of hollow metal members having their interiors interconnected 'by flexible tubing; and in which the means closing the bottom portion of the space between the end structures comprises a number of independentlymovable water cooled elements pivoted to the stationary structure'and each having its center of mass so positioned withv relation to its pivot point that it tends tomove toward the rotatable Port structures. j

17. A structure as defined in claim l2 in combination with means for'yieldingly holding said porting ledges during rotation of the rotatable Dort end structure.

19. A structure as defined in claim 12, in comn bination with means for yieldingly holding said water cooled means in place and-means for ref ducing the friction between such' water cooled means and the supporting ledges-during rotation of the rotatable port end structures.

20. A structure as defined in claim 12 in which the ledge on the rotatable port end structure is formed on the arc of a circle the center ot which coincides with the center about which such port end structure rotates, and in which the water cooled ,means comprises .a number of interlinked box-like members interconnected for the passage of cooling water and having their ledge contact surfaces longitudinally curved to conform to the curvature of such ledge.

21. A structure as deilned in claim 12 in which the ledge on the rotatable port end structure is formed on the arc of a. circle the center of which coincides with the centery about which such port end structure rotates and in which the water cooled means comprises a number of interlinked box-like members interconnected for the passageof cooling water, and having their ledge contact surfaces longitudinally curved to conform to the curvature of such ledge, in combination with means secured to the stationary port end structure for yieldingly holding the water cooled means in position during rotation of the rotatable port end structure. y

22. A structure as dened in claim 12in which the ledge on the rotatable port end structure is formed on the arc of a circle the center of which coincides with the center about which such port end structure rotates, and in which the water cooled means comprises a number of interlinked box-like members interconnected for the passage of cooling water, and having their ledge contact surfaces longitudinally curved to conform to the curvature of such ledge, in combination with means secured to the stationary port end structure for yieldingly holding the water cooled means in position, and means for reducing the friction between said water cooled means and its supporting ledges during rotation of the rotatable port end structure.

HARRY L. MeFEA'rEas.

REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 1,322,026 Kipper Nov. 18, 1919 1,515,462 Danforth Nov. 11, 1924 1,809,563 Newkirk June 9, 1931y 1,980,891 Tonnar Nov. 13, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 704,178 France May 15, 1931 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,435,318. February 3, 1948.

HARRY L. MCFEATERS It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 3, line 36, for the Word ledge read ledges; column 4, line 1, for curvatures read curvature; column 6, line 33, before writer insert hinged; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of April, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant (Zommssioner of Patents. 

